This week is full of Moons, Lockers that hurt and Dragonballs...

Well it seems I might be getting around to doing this more often. Not much has happened in the last week so I'm heading right into the reviews. I know most of these films were released earlier this year but I just finally saw them.

The Hurt Locker: The movie is about a small group of soldiers in the current Iraq war whose mission is of bomb dismantling. The movie is definitely one of the best of the year. The cast gives great performances and Jeremy Renner is astounding as the thrill seeking Sergent. The movie is excellently directed by Kathryn Bigelow (Point Break, Strange Days), who brings a shocking sense of realism to the dust filled landscapes. Usually I'm not all for the documentary feel that a lot of movies these days go for, ala District 9, but this movie really relishes in it. It adds a strong sense of realism that actually had me very uncomfortable but its reality. Bigelow really sweeps you into the tension of each moment, never letting you feel safe. She brings you into the world of the three man Bravo Company as they battle their own devils and understand the risks they take. The is definitely an accomplishment and one of the top films of the year. I'd recommend it to anyone. A+

Moon: Moon is a sci-fi thriller about a man named Sam Bell, played excellently by Sam Rockwell, whose 3 year contract to run a mining station on the moon is about to end. Sam gets in an accident and thus begins the 70s-ish trippiness of Duncan Jones' first movie. I don't want to give away to much of the plot but Sam may not be as lonely as he thinks he is. Rockwell chews up the screen with his commanding performance. Kevin Spacey is the only other star here, as Bell's computer companion, and the two work well off one another. Jones' direction reveals many of its inspirations but he does bring a very solitary feel to the whole thing. My one vice is that I can't say to much about the movie without giving things away. Moon is a great sci-fi in a year filled with them. I recommend this to anyone. A

Dragonball Evolution: Dragonball is the story of a young man named Goku, who is raised by his grandfather in the ways of martial arts. Goku is a free spirit and is out for revenge after his grandfather is killed by the ancient evil known as Piccolo. First off, I am a die-hard Dragonball fan and grew up watching the show. I loved it's over the top fight sequences and lighthearted comedy. I was surprised to see how much of the series was kept in tact for the movie. As a reminder this is based on the first Dragonball show and not the more well known spin-off Dragonball Z, so don't expect any Super Saiyans or Planet destroying. The cast of characters is intact with Goku, Chi Chi, Bulma, Yamcha, and Master Roshi, with the addition of a Female sidekick for Piccolo and the curious exclusion of Krillin. The biggest change is that Goku lacks his tail and attends a futuristic high school. The overall plot has changed from Goku seeking to become a powerful warrior to the typical outcast boy tries to get popular girl along with some planet saving (the quest for the seven dragonballs is also intact here). The acting isn't going to win any awards but most of the cast is like able, especially Chow Yun Fat who hams it up as Master Roshi. The one person that I cannot stand though is Bulma. The actress emotes nothing and acts as though she's been forced to read the lines. Everything else is pretty standard and people who haven't seen the show will probably be put off by the outlandishness of the story. This movie is definitely for the fans. B-

Well that's all for this week. Until next time. -Ko